Translator: AkazaTL
Pr/Ed: Sol IX
***
Chapter 84 The King and I (1)
Boom!
The shockwave generated at the center spread instantly throughout the entire training ground.
The knight who had to receive that shockwave with his whole body ended up stuck in the corner creating thick dust clouds.
“Ugh-”
Even while spitting out dying sounds, the knight tried to raise his body sohow.
But soon, unable to endure the pain near his ribs, he collapsed flat.
“Argh!”
In the knight’s vision, the figure of a colleague rolling on the ground in a similar state to himself on the other side of the training ground was seen.
“Hiya!”
The sword swung aiming for emitted a vigorous spirit, but.
Whoosh-
Unfortunately, it rely cut through empty air.
“Uh uh uh!”
The mber who swung the sword was grabbed by the nape of his neck by , and just like that, he was slamd onto the floor drawing a large circle in the air.
I lightly placed the wooden sword on the fallen knight’s abdon.
If it were a real battle, a large wind hole would have been punched in the mber’s belly with this single blow.
“Now!”
“We go at once!”
Two swords rushing in, aiming for my back.
But I swung the wooden sword without even looking back.
Clang!
The wooden sword and real swords clearly clashed, but the ones that broke were the two real swords.
“Ugh…….”
The wooden sword dug in between the two real swords that flew away futilely.
The mont the sharp blade touched the knight’s neck.
“We’ll stop here for today.”
“Th-Thank you. Commander.”
36 against 1.
Ti taken until the sparring ended: 10 minutes 34 seconds.
Effective hits landed by mbers: 0.
It was a truly one-sided result, but the expressions of the mbers rolling on the floor after collapsing looked refreshed.
“Your Excellency. A contact ca from the Reichart territory just a mont ago.”
“From the main house?”
“That is correct. A person nad Bolpar who manages the Magic Tower left a ssage asking Your Excellency to contact him.”
“Got it.”
And just in ti, my secretary inford that a contact ca from the Reichart territory.
“Then I will be going now. Clean up and go inside.”
“Ouch…… Yes, Commander…… Thank you for making precious ti…….”
“It’s fine, so just stay lying down.”
I lightly pressed down on the shoulder of a mber trying to force his body up, then moved my steps to contact Bolpar.
‘Now I should slowly start thinking about a thod to procure high-level swordsmanship and armants suitable for those friends.’
The wolf cubs that were weak have now finished growing to so extent.
Now is the ti to attach steel-like fangs and claws to them.
‘There are many places I have to search for as soon as I get ti. I hope they are still there as they were.’
As I walked while picturing places in my head where claws and fangs to attach to Haken might be sleeping, I soon reached the front of the communication crystal ball.
-Reichart’s Bolpar greets the Family Head.
A mont later, Bolpar with a white beard revealed himself beyond the crystal ball as always.
”Haha! It feels quite awkward for the Tower Master to treat like that.”
-The Family Head is now the pillar supporting Reichart, and a person operating a country beyond the family. Treating such a Family Head with manners is a matter of course, so I believe there is nothing for you to feel uncomfortable about.
“Well, fine. If the Tower Master feels more comfortable that way. By the way, for a person busy with territory work, what matter made you contact ?”
-Family Head, a ssage with an unknown sender arrived at our Magic Tower just a mont ago.
Bolpar unfolded the ssage that arrived at the Magic Tower with an infinitely polite attitude.
-We sincerely apologize for the fault in the forest, so we hope you will forgive our rudeness with the Grand Duke’s broad generosity like the sea.
-Besides this ssage, coordinates that seem to be a place near the territory, and a cipher to deactivate a barrier were written.
Bolpar made an expression saying it was a mysterious matter, but.
“Tower Master, mobilize a few Knight Order executives tomorrow and go to the place written as coordinates. Since it requires confidentiality, you will have to move as secretly as possible.”
It wasn't that difficult a problem for .
“If you go to that place and deactivate the barrier using the cipher, you will be able to find Magic Stones. Tower Master, you just have to retrieve those Magic Stones and send them to the capital.”
-Family Head, did you say Magic Stones just now?
“Yes. It will probably be an amount sufficient for use in the entire Zodiac for a year, so I ask you to be cautious in retrieval and transport.”
The reason the Clan of the Night sent the Magic Stones to the outskirts of the territory instead of the capital must be to handle the item a little more secretly.
A smile ford on my lips at the unexpected delicacy they showed.
-One year’s worth of Magic Stones? Family Head, that enormous item…….
Hearing the story about Magic Stones, and an enormous amount of Magic Stones at that, abruptly without any explanation, Bolpar seed to hesitate for a mont, but…….
-I understand. Family Head. I will perform the mission as you commanded.
He soon nodded.
He had forgotten for a mont.
That the current Family Head of Reichart possesses the talent to execute even seemingly impossible tasks with a nonchalant expression.
“By the way, Tower Master, how is Father doing?”
-Are you speaking of the Forr Family Head? Haha, actually, the person who was already quiet has beco even more reticent.
To my question, Bolpar answered while shaking his head side to side.
-The Forr Family Head is practically living in the fortress training ground except for the ti he briefly handles territory work. It seems he is imrsed in swordsmanship training.
“Imrsed in training, you say. Then it seems there is no need for to worry separately.”
Hearing the answer, I nodded.
“Since that would be the best for Father right now.”
Although he received a considerable shock from the events that happened in the capital, fortunately, Redin didn't seem to have lost his sharpness.
No…… perhaps he chose the thod of honing his own sharpness as a way to receive and overco that shock.
‘Because Redin Reichart is that kind of man.’
Anyway, it was a fortunate thing for .
Since there were still many roles he had to take on remaining.
‘I only hope the Sword of Zodiac does not lose its sharpness until I hold it in my hand. Forr Family Head.’
Ending the communication with Bolpar, I buried my body long in the chair with my clasped hands supporting the back of my head.
With this, it counts as the Clan of the Night sending a signal that they accept the deal, so as long as this contract is maintained, worry about Magic Stones is practically relieved.
‘Of course, since I have to pay the price for the items received this ti, I will need to et them one or two more tis though.’
I stretched with a rare comfortable expression.
Since taking over Zodiac, most of the tasks that bothered were wrapped up.
Now if only the King's coronation ceremony is wrapped up…….
“Your Excellency, are you inside?”
“What is it?”
“The Grand Young Lord of the Rosbach Duke Family requested an audience with Your Excellency.”
I can take a breather.
Just as I was about to think that, an unexpected guest arrived.
“Show him inside.”
I rose from my seat and prepared to greet Friedrich, who would beco the King of Zodiac in a few days.
“You ca, Young Lord. I should have visited you earlier, but because there was much work, I couldn't do so. Welco.”
“Reich- no, Grand Duke Reichart. H-Have you been well in the anti?”
After sending the attendants out of the office with a hand gesture, I directly guided Friedrich to the seat of honor.
“Young Lord, please sit this way.”
Since I occupied this office, rising to greet a guest and yielding the seat of honor to a guest were both first-ti occurrences.
“You must be busy with preparations for the succession ceremony, how did you co personally? If there was sothing to say, I would have visited you directly.”
“I troubled you because there is sothing I must tell the Grand Duke. If I was rude, please forgive , Grand Duke.”
For words spoken by a 14-year-old child, he seed very precocious, but unlike those words, Friedrich’s appearance looked very anxious.
“I will listen attentively.”
The intelligence that was exceptionally impressive was still there, but unlike before, his eyes were trembling, and his cheeks that used to be healthily flushed were pale.
‘He seems flustered because this kind of thing happened suddenly.’
The shock of ‘being made to’ succeed the throne in a situation where he wasn't prepared, not ‘succeeding’ the throne according to his will and set procedures.
Towards the ringleader who drove him into this chaotic situation, Friedrich…….
“Grand Duke, please. Help .”
Abruptly knelt.
It hasn't been half a month since the father knelt in the sa place, and now the son kneels too.
“Young Lord, please rise.”
“Grand Duke, please. Please help . If the Grand Duke does not help , I have nowhere to go. I beg you.”
“Young Lord, please rise from your seat first. You shouldn't do this here.”
However, despite my dissuasion, Friedrich only pleaded while kneeling with an even more stubborn attitude.
“Young Lord, what on earth are you asking to help you with?”
“Grand Duke, I am afraid. All of this is too scary.”
In Friedrich’s shaking eyes, the fear he witnessed and experienced for the past few days was imbued intact.
“According to the national law, I will execute summary judgnt, so behead sinners Albert Celsran and Mackin Batavia right now!”
He clearly saw it.
Dozens of royalty, including the person who was scheduled to ascend to the throne a few hours later, had their heads fly off at my single hand gesture.
This sight evoked shock and fear that a 14-year-old boy could not handle.
“The Grand Duke must protect . Please withdraw your words that you will return to your territory after the succession ceremony.”
Furthermore, it wasn't only who terrified Friedrich.
Although young, he could clearly feel it.
The malice of those like snakes waiting only for the opportunity to emit venom towards while holding their breath.
Of course, they wouldn't be able to emit that base venom right away towards , who is overwhelmingly strong.
But if I go to the territory and only his family, which has practically no political support, remains alone in the capital?
It is self-evident that the malice of those like snakes will pour towards himself, the King enthroned by .
Friedrich was unbearably scared of that fact.
Friedrich was too young to endure not only the power they possessed but also that vicious malice.
So he needed it.
“Grand Duke, I beg you. Please, please stay by my side even for a mont.”
He needed a high and solid barrier that could bounce off such malice without even caring about it.
Although this barrier seed cold like ice, it is infinitely fair to those who haven't committed sins.
Friedrich, knowing that, clung desperately.
“Young Lord has many things to do. Most of those tasks are things you cannot avoid doing just because they are scary. Even if I am by your side, I won't be of much help.”
“No. Grand Duke! I-I am not strong like the Grand Duke.”
Drip drip.
Eventually, thick tears fell from the kneeling boy’s eyes.
Actually, Friedrich had admired .
The surrounding nobles disparaged the Grand Duke, who was engaging in unconventional moves day after day since entering the capital, calling him a blood-stained ruffian, but Friedrich liked .
He had heard his father sighing and speaking countless tis since he was young.
“With such lawless people running rampant, what will beco of this country…….”
Both Duke Rosbach and Friedrich knew that there was a huge problem with the current situation.
But all the Duke could do was sigh.
The tyranny of royalty and nobles seed like it would continue forever, endlessly.
However…….
“I will establish the prestige of the nation.”
The man who suddenly appeared from the northern end where Friedrich’s vision didn't even reach and purified the polluted country.
‘Cool!’
Steel-like strength, frost-like dignity, my appearance sweeping away the gangs eating away at the country with resourcefulness above the heads of nobles-
Looked like a hero from a fairy tale to Friedrich.
Even the impudent appearance shown in front of the royal family looked cool to the boy, so.
There would be no need to explain further how deeply he was into .
But by the hand of that very hero, he was swept into the vortex of the political world regardless of his will.
To suddenly sit on the throne, the peak position of that vortex.
That too, completely regardless of his will.
And then Friedrich’s hero declared he would return to his territory, leaving only him in this capital which is like hell.
“I heard the Grand Duke said previously that you would make a country with prestige. I cannot do it alone. The Grand Duke, the Grand Duke must be by my side to make such a country. No, Grand Duke, please make it so. I will help the Grand Duke from the side.”
“Young Lord, creating the dignity of a country is the duty of a monarch. How can you ask a person who is rely a vassal to take on that duty? It cannot be done.”
Friedrich, who beca desperate, was now practically on the verge of grabbing onto my pant leg.
“I have already revealed my intention to return to the territory as soon as the succession ceremony ends. If I overturn these words, my prestige will fall to the ground, and this will not be a very good thing for the Young Lord either.”
“No! The Grand Duke must stay by my side!”
“Grand Duke, actually I have heard sothing too. And according to that rumor…….”
Did he feel that his wish wasn't working?
Eventually, Friedrich made a determined expression and fumbled inside his bosom.
“If the Grand Duke truly harbors the thought of carrying this country alone…….”
What was held in the right hand revealed from the bosom was a dagger emitting a deep blue blade.
“Rather…….”
In Friedrich’s eyes, which only looked pitiful, a resolution that looked closer to venom ford rather.
Friedrich, who solidified his resolve, swung the dagger held in his hand with all his might.
User Comments
0 comments from readers